Cecil Robert Duffy

Cecil Robert Duffy passed away on Tuesday December 20th, 2011 at the Thunder Bay Regional Hospital in Thunder Bay, Ontario.

He was born on July 2, 1932 in Orillia, ON. He moved to the Thunder Bay area as a young police officer, meeting Sunny; they married on August 11,1956. They recently celebrated their love and devotion to each other with their 55th wedding anniversary. Throughout their marriage they made many friends in each community they called home; Terrace Bay, Schreiber, Manitowadge, and Kakabeka Falls among them.

In 1988 Cecil and Sunny returned to Fort Frances for their retirement. He was a life member of the Knights of Columbus. He was a very active member of St Mary’s parish, helping as a Cantor, working bingos, visiting and helping out in any way. Cecil believed strongly in volunteering and was very active in the community including working with the Arthritis Society and the Canadian Cancer Society. He will be fondly remembered for his bright smile, quick wit and his unique little “sayings”.

He leaves behind his children Barbara (Ronald) Johanson, Beverley Thomson, Larry (Nicole) , Terry (Wanda) and Gerald (Jennifer); grandchildren Heather, Trish (Chris), Janelle, Amanda, Holly, Eric, Laurel, Mallory, Kendra, Sydney, Brandon, Avery and Alexa; great grandchildren Kyle and Kurtis; brother-in-law Siinto Wataja and wife Railli, and sister-in-law Bertha Wataja as well as a large extended family he was close to.

Cecil was predeceased by his wife Sunny, sons Kenneth and Leonard; son-in-law Bob Thomson; brother-in-law George Wataja; sisters Anne (William) Underwood and Marcella (Peter) Liddell.

Friends are invited to join the family on Thursday December 22, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. at St Mary’s Roman Catholic Church for a prayer service.

A mass will be held on Friday December 23, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at St Mary’s Roman Catholic Church with Father Francis Pudicherry officiating.

Cremation has taken place and a private family interment will be held at the Holy Cross Cemetery at a future time.

An honour guard will be provided by the Ontario Provincial Police and the Knights of Columbus.

If friends so desire in memoriam donations may be made to the Arthritis Society, 895 Tungsten Street, Suite 5, Thunder Bay, ON P7B 6H2 or the Canadian Cancer Society, Box 444, Fort Frances, ON, P9A 3M8.

If friends so desire in memoriam donations may also be made in care of www.greenfuneralhomefortfrances.com